History of Penobscot County, Maine; with illustrations and biographical sketches, Part 221

Author: Williams, Chase & Co., Cleveland (Ohio)
Publication date: 1882
Publisher: Cleveland, Williams, Chase & Co.
Number of Pages: 1100

USA > Maine > Penobscot County > History of Penobscot County, Maine; with illustrations and biographical sketches > Part 221

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In 1849 the sum of $400 was voted for the support of schools.

Again in 1851 the town voted $400 for schools.

The most revolting murders in the annals of crime were committed April 7, 1859. Marshall Potter mur- dered his mother, his brothers Oliver and Alexander, and a nephew, Albert, a cripple. He then burned the house, but the mutilated bodies of his victims were proof against him, though in the excitement of the moment he was allowed to escape. He was shortly afterwards ar- rested in St. Stephens, New Brunswick, whither he had fled, and under a life sentence in the State prison is said to have died some five or six years since.

Lee has ever been a strongly Democratic town, yet, during the war, a bounty of $200 was offered for volun- teers to fill the quota of the town.

MILITARY HISTORY OF LEE.

Lee, perhaps, cannot be called a leading military town, though many of its citizens have shouldered the musket and gone forth to fight the battles of our country.

Among the early settlers we find Nicholas Coffin, a Revolutionary soldier, besides a large number who served in the War of 1812, but they are all now dead, and a list of their names cannot be readily obtained. The town was largely represented in the Aroostook war by men who volunteered at the first sound of alarm. In the Mexican

HISTORY OF PENOBSCOT COUNTY, MAINE.

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war three men went from this town-Timothy H. Tucker, Daniel Hobbs, and Henry Welch. Hobbs and Welch died in service. Tucker was wounded, but returned and served again in the last war. Charles P. Tidd, whose father then resided in Lee, was with John Brown at his raid on Harper's Ferry. Tidd escaped, enlisted in a Massachusetts regiment at the outbreak of the Rebellion, and died in service.

When the forces of slavery and secession waged war against our Union, the people of Lee did not heartily support the Government, but in many ways discouraged enlistment. A single incident will show the spirit of many of her people at that time. In 1862, at a meeting of the militia of the town for the election of company officers, a recruiting sergeant, who was enlisting men for a com- pany then forming at Lincoln, announced his business and asked for some volunteers from Lee to join his com- pany. Thereupon a prominent citizen arose, and with all the eloquence he could command portrayed the dangers and privations of a soldier's life, telling his fellow-citizens he hoped they would not be frightened into enlisting, and not to fear a draft, for there was no power this side of Heaven that could draft a man and carry him out of the State. This speech brought down a perfect storm of applause. Another man came to his feet and denounced such disloyal talk and manifestations, and asked those present not to bring dishonor on the memory of their Revolutionary fathers by thus sending words of cheer and comfort to the enemy. He closed, but no 'cheer or word of approbation greeted him.

No attempt was ever made to raise a company for the war in this town, but a goodly number enlisted, as the military roster will show. Every man who went to the war enlisted as a private soldier, and whatever higher rank he attained was gained in the field. The larger part of them enlisted the first part of the war, but later, when each town was required to furnish its quota, a draft was usually resorted to here. During 1864 and 1865 three drafts were made from this town with the following result : Total number drafted, 84; entered service, 12; furnished substitutes, 2; failed to report, 47. Most of the latter found their way across the lines into New Brunswick; a part of whom formed a settlement there known as "Skedaddler's Ridge."

A list of the soldiers who went from Lee is given in the military history of Penobscot county in another part of this volume.

No better soldiers entered the service than those who went from Lee. Wherever they went they made an honorable record; and their share in the hardships of war-the march, the battle field, the lingering pain and death in Northern hospitals, the agony endured in the starvation prison pens of the South-was all cheerfully and patiently borne, and their patriotism and valor are worthy to be placed side by side with the long line of patriots who have defended our liberties from the days of Washington to the present time.

A few incidents connected with the war may be of interest.

When the first call for troops was made in the spring

of 1861, Horace F. Hanson heard the news while at work on the drive. He immediately stuck his handspike into the bank and started for the war. After many hair- breadth escapes he safely returned, and is now one of the most respected physicians in Bangor.

At the battle of the Wilderness, when General Lee was hurling his forces against our lines and pressing them back, Sergeant Joseph W. Burke, of the Sixth Maine Battery, occupied a road running at right angles to our lines through the dense thicket, with two pieces of artil- lery. On came the rebel horde pressing back our infantry, when an order was sent to Sergeant Burke to fall back and save his guns. Turning around he said: "Boys, let's give them a little more canister before we go." The road was soon cleared, then training their guns one to the right and the other to the left, they secured an en- filading fire on the advancing foe. Then the perfect storm of canister from the two pieces, which were handled with almost lightning rapidity, did terrific work, leaving the dead in windrows at every fire. The advance was checked and the position held. He saved his guns but did not fall back. For his gallantry he was promoted to first lieutenant.

During the fight on the Boynton road, October 27, 1864, Mott's division of Hancock's corps bcame partially broken up by an impetuous charge of rebel infantry. While General Hancock was re-forming his broken line, Charles J. House, then eighth sergeant in company E, First Maine Heavy Artillery, discovered a move on the part of the rebels to turn our left flank. Without hesi- tation he rallied twenty men of his company, and with them dashed forward one hundred and fifty yards to the front and left, secured an advantageous position and held it against ten times his own force, cutting off the retreat of two hundred rebel soldiers, and frustrating their at- tempt to turn our flank. Reinforcements coming up the two hundred were secured prisoners. With his men he then rushed forward and assisted in recapturing two pieces of artillery which had fallen into the hands of the enemy, then coolly marched his men back to their place in line. He was highly complimented by his command- ing officer, and immediately promoted to first sergeant and recommended for a first lieutenant's commission, which he soon received.

INDUSTRIAL HISTORY.

The Mattawamkeag affords the only water-power in Lee, with but little fall throughout its whole course, which is in a northwesterly direction. The privilege of the vil- lage was early improved, a saw-mill and grist-mill being erected in 1827-28 by Merrill & Mallett. In 1840 the grist-mill machinery was removed to a mill about two and a half miles down stream, to which a road was opened. In 1850 the available machinery of this mill was moved back to the village, where it still remains.

In 1841 Calvin Barber, Dexter Merrill, and Levi B. Merrill built a clapboard mill, and in 1843 a saw-mill, about one and a half miles below the village; and in 1854 sold to Edward Bowler and Joseph Smith. In 1878 a new saw-mill was built by Charles Merrill, which

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still stands. In 1845 or 1846 William R. Gifford built a carding-mill, which was run by his son.

A small lake called Ware lies in the extreme southeast corner of the town, beginning in Springfield. The Mat- tawkeunk is dammed four times in Lee, and also bridged four times.

OTHER MATTERS.

There are no very prominent elevations in Lee, though the town is well diversified with hills, and quite an elevation back of the village has been named by the academy scholars Mt. Jefferson.

Lee was early made a field of labor for several relig- ious denominations. About 1835 Rev. Samuel Lewis preached occasionally in Lee, and organized a Free-will Baptist church there, starting one in Chester at the same time. In 1838 he was succeeded by Levi Moulton, who was succeeded in turn by John Banks, William Doble, and James Knights. John Welch is the present preacher and has filled the position ten years.

In 1858 a church was built near the Academy by this society, with the aid of the Calvinist Baptists and the Methodists, at a cost of $1,500. The Methodists also organized a church in 1835, but have had no regular preaching for several years.

The first church in Lee was organized by the Rev. Mr. Dexter, of Dexter, Maine, a Calvinist Baptist, about 1831. The Rev. Walter Marshall, who preached there for sev- eral years, resided in Lee, and in 1839-40 was the Town Clerk. Rev. Alvin Messer also preached in Lee, where he resided for some time. The present pastor is the Rev. Sylvester Berse, of Chester. This church now has twenty- five members. The first resident minister was old Parson Sawyer, Congregationalist, who lived to be more than a century old. He resided in Township No. 4, in 1828, but was succeeded two or three years afterwards. Be- tween 1850 and 1860 Charles H. Emerson was pastor, and a church, which cost about $6,000, was built. Al- though this fine edifice is in the centre of the village it is by no means flourishing and at present has no pastor.

In 1835 a Universalist church was formed, and the Rev. Amos Richards, E. W. Coffin, and J. C. Knowlton, preached for the members. Rev. Daniel Stickney came to Lee in 1846 and preached for five or six years. In 1850 he was Town Clerk.

A church was formed under the direction of Mark Chase, who was succeeded by Rev. Mr. Butterfield, and in 1875 by Rev. James T. Carr, their last pastor, who preached there for two years. He moved to East Winn in the fall of 1881. They have a membership of about forty.

The first physicians here were Godfrey Jackson, who yet lives here; then Jesse Howe, from Norway, came in 1835 and remained ten years. He is now dead. In 1838 came Liberty W. Bacon, from Turner, Maine. He held many municipal positions and fifteen years after moved to Illinois. Dr. Bornham came in 1848, and kept the Elm House hotel, and practiced his profession for two years. In 1858 Charles Merrill, of Springfield, resided in Lee and practiced there until his death in 1875. Dr. Lorin Bridge was educated in Lee and removed to one

of the Western States. In 1876 Dr. J. Henry Lindsey moved to Lee and is still practicing there.

Addison Prentiss came from Foxcroft in 1837 and went into trade with his brother Arthur and the practice of law. He practiced law here from that time until 1850. A view of Lee on a page of the town records made while he was Clerk, attests to his artistic tendencies ; while his efforts for the incorporation and aid of Lee Academy attest his public spirit. He is now living in Wor- cester, Massachusetts. Elliot Walker was a student in Prentiss' office, and a teacher in Lee Academy. He never practiced here but moved to Newport and is now Judge of Probate for Penobscot county. Joseph H. Perkins practiced law here but now lives in Bangor. From 1850 to 1860 Henry C. Field, who had removed from Lincoln to Lee, practiced law here, and then returned to Lincoln to die. In 1869 Charles A. Cushman, who had been in trade with his father, Abiel Cushman, an early settler, was admitted to the Bar and has practiced here since.

In 1828-29 Roswell Adams was the blacksmith here, but he then removed to Lincoln to work for the mill buildings. Moses Thurlow succeeded him. In 1840 Timothy Clifford and James Simmons, in 1845 Thaddeus Foss, of Vassalboro, and in 1850 Mr. Dean were the blacksmiths here. In 1847 James T. Bridge suc- ceeded Clifford up to 1863, and again, after failing in trade, went to blacksmithing some three or four years ago and still is so engaged. In 1867 Albert Pickering com- menced blacksmithing, and is still thus in business.

The Postmasters at Lee village have been about as fol- lows: Samuel T. Mallett, James H. Bowler, Joseph Mal- lett, Isaac Hacker, Abner H. Gerrish, Albert S. Getchell, Gustavus S. Bean, George H. Haskell, Charles J. House, Charles A. Cushman, George H. Haskell, the present Postmaster; at North Lee, Albert K. Lewis, Willie Estes, David Estes, and Edwin A. Reed, the present in- cumbent.

In 1833 Isaac Hacker came from Palermo, Maine, and commenced trade on the Springfield side of the Stream, having James H. Bowler, now of Bangor, as clerk afterwards. Bowler was with Hacker till after 1840, when Bowler went to Lincoln in May, having first built the present Burke store and Charles Mallett's house close by, and Hacker took as partner Abner H. Ger- rish to about 1845, when Hacker moved to Fort Fair- field, and some two or three years ago was killed on the railroad in New Brunswick, and Gerrish took in Charles Mallett; then Gerrish took in as partner Gustavus S. Bean, son of Shepherd Bean, long a Deputy Sheriff at Bangor and now Warden of the Maine State prison. Gerrish died in 1848, and as soon as his affairs were closed up Bean took in George H. Haskell. The pio- neer tradesman here was Arthur Prentiss, whose store was in what is now called the Mill House, where Elder John Welch lives. He got his goods by boat- ing them to the falls and then hauling them to Lee. In 1833 Isaac Hacker came from Palermo, Maine, and commenced trade on the Springfield side of the stream. Bean removed to Bangor, and sold out to Joseph W. Burke in 1867. They failed in 1877. Joseph W. Burke

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continued trade in the same place, and Haskell com- menced trade in the Clifford-Bridge store. He is now there and is also postmaster. In 1858 George Clifford built a store and was succeeded in 1863 by James I. Bridge. In 1840 Abiel Cushman built the present grange store, and in 1850 the firm became A. Cushman & Son. In 1865 Oren Coffin traded in it, and since 1870 the Forest Grange No. 125, have occupied it. In 1850 J. H. Perkins built the George B. Wetherbee store and traded there until 1860. It was occupied by C. J. House & Bros. after the war until Wetherbee started a hardware store there. In 1870 C. J. House and Albert P. Mallett built a store towards Lee from the cross roads, and traded there until 1873 and failed. Since 1875 H. Coffin has been in business there. Edward Bowler built a store at Bowler's Corner some two miles from Lee. He traded there for ten years. For the latter part of the time Joseph Smith was his partner, at one time ran the lower mill on the Mattakeunk. Albert K. Lewis for a couple of years had a store at North Lee, adjoining Springfield, where he was also Postmaster. Some slight trade has been carried on by members of Elisha Bradley's family on the Springfield road, where a tannery has since been built, and burnt down by lightning.

About 1840 George Haskell kept a hotel in what is called the Buffalo House, on the Springfield road. Arthur Prentiss built the Elm House and kept hotel in it until about 1845, and then leased it to Dr. Bornham, who kept it until about 1851 when it was sold to Joseph M. True, the preceptor of the Academy, in whose family it has been ever since. About 1847 the Academy board- ing house was kept as a hotel by Hosea Ricker, in 1860, by Joseph Crandalmire, and in 1870 by George Blanch- ard, since which time it has been vacant.

STATISTICS, ETC.

Lee had a population of 724 in 1840, of 917 in 1850, 939 in 1860, 960 in 1870, and 894 in 1880.

Polls in 1860, 231; in 1870, 239; 1880, 220. Valua- tions these several years, $100,353, $139,343, and $109,- 953.

Town officers for 1881: C. A. Hanson, C. H. Whitten, James G. Ames, Selectmen; C. H. Whitten, Town Clerk; J. W. Burke, Treasurer; J. G. Ricker, Constable and Collector; Parker Davis, School Supervisor; C. A. Cush- man, George H. Haskell, Daniel Towle, J. W. Burke, E. E. True (Quorum), Shepard Bean, Nathan Averill (Trial), Justices.

Mr. G. H. Haskell is Postmaster at Lee, David Estes at North Lee.

There is one resident clergyman, one lawyer, and one physician.

SETTLEMENT NOTES.

Samuel Rowe, who has lived in Lee about twelve years, is a native of Hebron, Oxford County, Maine. He is a son of Benjamin and Hannah Rowe (nee Hannah Decoster). They had ten children, all of whom grew to maturity except one. Their names were Priscilla (de- ceased), Louisa (deceased), Sarah, Caroline (deceased), Samuel, Betsey, Chloe (deceased), Emily, Jane, and

Hubbard. Benjamin Rowe lived to be eighty-four and died about fifteen years since. Samuel Rowe, the oldest son, was born May 6, 1811, and spent his boyhood on the farm. On becoming of age he bought a farm in Sumner, Oxford county, where he lived four years. In 1837 he moved to Springfield, Maine, and lived eleven years, after which he went to No. 7 Washington county, and lived about twenty years. In 1869 he came here to Lee and settled where he now lives, about two miles from the village. He married Deborah A. Merrill, daughter of Jeremiah and Priscilla Merrill. They have had nine children, of whom eight are living, viz: Cyrus A., now in California; Clara E., wife of P. B. Comstock, of Reno, Nevada; Priscilla J., now Mrs. Otis H. Scrib- ner, of Lambert's Lake, in Maine; Charlotte B., wife of Lyman Scribner, of California; Julia A., wife of N. P. Sweet, Lincoln; Lloyd D., deceased; Louisa M., wife of B. D. Averill, of Prentiss ; George, now in Clark's Island, St. George, Maine, and Ella O., wife of Frank C. Stevens, of Lee. While in Washington county Mr. Rowe was for many years one of the Selectmen of his town.

Mr. Walter Coffin, of Lee, one of the first settlers in the neighborhood where he now lives, came here from Belfast, Maine. He is a son of Nicholas Coffin, who came here from New Hampshire. Nicholas was a Revolutionary soldier and present at the surrender of Cornwallis, at Yorktown. He married for his first wife Mary Heath. His second wife, mother of Walter Cof- fin, was Lydia Lemon. By his first wife he had two daughters, Catharine and Susan, and by his second wife two sons, Walter and Nicholas N., of Lincoln. Nicholas Coffin died in 1850. Walter Coffin was born May 22, 1811; his father was a farmer and he was brought up on the farm. One year he lived in Enfield, but settled on his present farm in 1832, be- fore there was a road through the neighborhood. He married Nancy W. Clark, daughter of Ichabod and Mary Clark. They have had sixteen children, of whom twelve are living, viz: Emily, Elizabeth, Mary E. (deceased), Freeman, Nancy, Cyrus, Walter, Washington, Orrin (de- ceased), Henry, Engene, Vesta, Madora (deceased), Abbie, Fred, and one who died in infancy not named Mr. Coffin lives about three miles from Lee, on the road that leads through the half township to Lincoln.

Philip Blake, of Lee, was born August 14, 1811. He is a son of Bradbury Blake, a native of Mt. Vernon, Maine. His mother's name was Abigail Norcross. Bradbury Blake had ten children, all of whom lived to manhood and womanhood. Their names were Paul, deceased; Sophia, deceased; Philip; Prudilla; Nancy, de- ceased; Permelia, deceased; Abigail; Catharine; Joan; and Elvira, deceased. Bradbury Blake died April 30, 1870. Mrs. Blake died about eighteen months previous. Philip Blake, subject of this sketch, has always lived on the farm where he now lives, about ten miles from the village of Lee. He married for his first wife Maranda Chandler, who died in 1847, and married for his second wife Miss Betsey Lancaster, daughter of Elihu and Sarah Lancaster. Mr. Blake has two children by his first wife

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HISTORY OF PENOBSCOT COUNTY, MAINE.

-Llewellyn, of Lee, and Philip Chandler, of Hersey township. Mr. Blake has four children now living by his second wife-Clara A., wife of Walter Coffin, Jr., of Lee; Dennis and True, now in Washington Territory; Dearborn P., now at home. Mr. Blake has served as one of the Selectmen of his town at different times.

George H. Haskell, postmaster and merchant at Lee, was born April 7, 1833. His parents, George and Betsey Haskell, were natives of New Goucester, Maine. George Haskell had five children-Elizabeth, widow of the late Abner H. Gerrish; Lucia A., now Mrs. G. S. Bean, of Thomaston, Maine; Mary W., deceased wife of Bohan Field, of Washington Territory; George H., and Albert, deceased. Mr. Haskell died in 1881, his wife having died in 1875. George H. came to this town when seven years of age, with his parents, and has always lived here. Since arriving at manhood he has been engaged in the mercantile business here. He married Miss Sarah Bowler, daughter of Edward Bowler, of Lee. They have six children-Mary A., Nellie B., Alice E., George E., Harold, and James B., all at home. Mr. Haskell has served as Town Clerk of this town, and is now Post- master, which office he has held for about seventeen years. He keeps a general stock of merchandise at his place on the principal street in the village.

Joseph W. Burke, dealer in general merchandise and lumber in Lee, this county, is a son of Thomas and Sally Burke, of Litchfield, Maine. Thomas Burke was a son of Samuel Burke of Topsham, Maine ; Mrs. Burke was a native of Bath, the daughter of Joel Ham. Thomas and Sally Burke had eleven children, six sons and five daughters, all of whom lived to maturity, and seven of whom are now living-Mary, deceased ; John, deceased ; James, now of Lee ; Nancy, wife of A. Fifield, of Lee; Mark L., now in Leadville, Colorado; Lucy, deceased wife of Samuel Flagg, of New Hampshire; Rachel, now Mrs. William Jones, of Dutch Flat, Cali- fornia; Lydia, now Mrs. A. M. Jewell, of San Francisco, California; Joseph W .; Thomas, deceased ; and Nelson, also deceased. Thomas Burke, Sr., died in 1873; Mrs. Burke is still living in this village being now eighty-eight years old. Joseph Burke was born January 30, 1831, and at the age of seventeen went to sea. He followed the sea two years, visiting England, Wales, Holland and Belgium. In 1849 he went to California and engaged in mining, at which he remained two years. He returned to Litchfield in 1851 and engaged in farming, which he followed two years, when he came to Lee and engaged in teaming to Bangor, which he followed until 1862 when he went into the army. He remained in the army until the close of the war, connected with the Sixth Maine Battery. He was wounded at Gettysburg, and in hospital six weeks. He enlisted as a private, and was promoted to first lieutenant ere the close of the war. He was with his regiment in every engagement. At the close of the war he again engaged in teaming, which he followed until 1867 when he opened a store in Lee. He is also engaged in supplying and lumbering. Mr. Burke has served as Selectman, and is at present Town Treasurer ; and is also one of the Board of County Commissioners.

He married Maria L. Crandallmire, of Lee. They have four children-Clarence C., now with his father in busi- ness, Mabel, Edith, and Alice.

Cyrus A. Hanson, of Lee, is a son of John and Pau- lina Hanson. John Hanson had three children-Horace, now a physician in Bangor; Lizzie, deceased; and Cyrus, the eldest of the family. Cyrus Hanson was born February 22, 1835, in Harrison, Maine. He spent his boyhood on a farm and always has been a farmer; he also worked at the mason's trade part of the time. After becoming of age he went to California, where he remained about five years. He came to Lee in 1861, and enlisted in the army in 1862. On returning he was drafted and went again for a short time, being discharged for dis- ability in 1863. In 1864 he bought the place where he now resides near the village of Lee, and where he has since lived. Mr. Hanson has held various town offices, and is now Chairman of the Board of Selectmen, a mem- ber of which board he has been many years. He married Mary Mallett, daughter of William and Sally Mallett, of Lee, who were among the first settlers in town. They have seven children-Lizzie, Alberta, Annie, James W., Willie, Cyrus F., and Rowena May, the baby. In 1878 he was elected to the Legislature, and served in that body during the winters of 1878 and 1879.

America W. Ames is a son of James and Margaret Ames, for a sketch of whose life and family see that of . James G. Ames. America W. Ames was born June 20, 1820. He came here with his father in 1835 and felled the first trees on the place where he now resides. The next year the family moved here. He married Ruth G. Jackson, daughter of Godfrey and Cyrene Jackson. They have two sons, viz: Foster E. and Harris. Mr. Ames has held the offices of Selectman and Town Treas- urer of his town several years. He lives on a part of the old homestead. He owns seventy-five acres of land.

Godfrey Jackson, of Lee, is a son of John Jackson, a native of Sidney in this State. John Jackson was a son of John Jackson, Sr. He married for his first wife Dor- cas Savage, who lived seven years and died childless. Mr. Jackson married tor his second wife Ruth Godfrey, by whom he had seven children, viz: Godfrey, Benja- min, Jemima, Sylvia, John, Ruth and Joan. Godfrey Jackson, the oldest son of this family, was born June 22, 1796. On becoming of age he settled in Gardiner, Maine, where he lived about seven years, engaged as house carpenter. From here he went to Merimichi and lived three years, working as masterworkman in building a jail for the Provincial Government. From there he came to Lee, in 1826, and framed the first saw-mill that was built in this town, which was at that time called No. 4, not being incorporated. He studied medicine and practiced here for about twenty years. Mr. Jackson married Cyrene Hall, of West Waterville, Maine, by whom he had seven children, viz: Mary, now Mrs. Lowell, of Springfield, Maine; Elizabeth, wife of Captain Lowe, of Maryland; Joan, wife of James Ames of Lee; Edward B., now of Springfield, Maine; William, de- ceased in the army; Ruth, wife of A. W. Ames, of Lee, and Augusta, now Mrs. William Bagley. Mrs. Jackson

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History of Penobscot County, Maine; with illustrations and biographical sketches, Part 221

Author: Williams, Chase & Co., Cleveland (Ohio) Publication date: 1882 Publisher: Cleveland, Williams, Chase & Co. Number of Pages: 1100

Author: Williams, Chase & Co., Cleveland (Ohio)
Publication date: 1882
Publisher: Cleveland, Williams, Chase & Co.
Number of Pages: 1100